Understanding the Media Creative Industries: contributions from the political economy of communicationl

The expression "creative industries" emerged in the 1990s to concentrate, in the same concept, activities which used creativity as their basic input for production (as, for instance, Arts, Architecture, Film, Music, Theatre, Gastronomy etc.). Since then several countries and regions have been using that expression to fostering their creative industries and generate economic development (mainly by the creation of jobs and revenue). From this scenario the aim of this paper is to discuss, theoretically, the possible contributions of the political economy of communication to the comprehension and analysis of creative industries, particularly the media. The text does not try to deny or criticize the validity of the expression creative industries. In fact, it makes a review of academic works on creative industries and political economy of communication, and proposes questions and analysis to be done on the subject.